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The official website of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

Initial (2015) Funded Priorities List

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council), through its Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) approved December 9, 2015, is using funds from the settlement with Transocean Deepwater Inc. to provide near-term, on-the-ground ecosystem benefits, while also conducting planning activities designed to build a foundation for future success as additional funds become available from other parties.

The Council amended the Initial FPL by approving $1,790,546 in implementation funding for the Robinson Preserve Wetlands Restoration project sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These funds will be used to restore 118.2 acres of coastal habitat and restore more natural hydrology, along with related activities in Tampa Bay, Florida.

The Council amended the Initial FPL to modify the geographic area for beneficial use planning for potential future marsh restoration activities. The Council will utilize Initial FPL funding to support planning in the Greens Lake area, Pierce Marsh, and Salt Bayou. Planning in the Nelda Stark location will instead be performed utilizing Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds. This modification is covered by the existing National Environmental Policy Act documentation used for this FPL activity.

The Council amended the Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) to approve implementation funding for support of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) restoration project elements sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Council approved $1,444,960 in implementation funding for the TBEP project elements and reallocated $100,000 from planning to implementation. The total amount available for implementation of the TBEP project elements is $1,544,960. These funds will be used to implement five coastal restoration elements within the TBEP’s watershed boundary. Below please find the link to the amended FPL Appendix, which describes the implementation activities associated with this amendment.

Amendment: Palm River Restoration Project Phase II, East McKay Bay Project I - April 19, 2017The Council amended the Initial FPL to move the implementation phase of the project from FPL Category 2 (further Council consideration) to Category 1 (Council approval) and to reallocate $87,750 from the Palm River planning activity (already in Category 1) to implementation. $856,430 is now available for Palm River implementation. These funds will be used for construction of three stormwater ponds, exotic vegetation removal, native planting, monitoring, management of exotic species and maintenance of culverts and stormwater ponds along the river at the mouth of McKay Bay. Below please find links to the Council’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the amended FPL Appendix, which describes the implementation activities associated with this amendment.

Amendment: Lowermost Mississippi River Management (Planning) - April 19, 2017The Council amended the Initial FPL to allocate the full $9,300,000 in approved funding for the Lowermost Mississippi River Management project to the State of Louisiana. The Initial FPL had provided that LMRM funding was to be equally allocated between the State of Louisiana and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Amended AppendixAmendment: Strategic Land Protection, Conservation, and Enhancement of Priority Gulf Coast Landscapes in MS (Planning & Implementation) - March 8, 2017The Council amended the Initial FPL to modify the description of the potential acquisition and conservation area associated with the De Soto National Forest to include the upper reaches of the Biloxi River. This modification is covered by the existing National Environmental Policy Act documentation used for this FPL activity.Amended Appendix

Amendment: GOMA Coordination - Nov. 16, 2016The Council amended the Initial FPL to switch the sponsor of the FPL activity entitled “GOMA Coordination” from the State of Alabama to the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce is a co-sponsor of a closely related FPL activity entitled “Council Monitoring & Assessment Program Development." This proposed amendment increases administrative efficiency and facilitates project implementation and tracking. Amended Appendix

Below please find links to the Council’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the amended FPL Appendix, which describes the implementation activities associated with this amendment.FONSIAmended Appendix

Mississippi Sound, MS Watershed/Estuary

Deer Island Beneficial Use Site Strategic Land Protection, Conservation, and Enhancement of Priority Gulf Coast Landscapes SeaGrant Education and Outreach The Mississippi Sound Estuarine Program Enhancing Opportunities for Beneficial Use of Dredge Sediments